Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with bars

Is my TV a goner?

iamisaid — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:10:34 -0800

Do these translucent vertical bars on the screen mean my LCD TV is going out? I recently began noticing a series of translucent vertical bars on the screen of my 3-year-old Olevia 227V LCD TV. The bars are approximately two inches wide. The picture is still displayed as normal, but depending on the image being displayed the bars range from barely noticeable to quite visible.

At first I just noticed two vertical lines on the screen at approximately the area at which a standard definition image is cut off from the rest of the screen, and I thought I had some sort of LCD burn-in issue. But now I see these wide bars across the entire screen, rather than just single lines.

I see the bars regardless of whether the input is HDMI, component, or composite. However, I don't see them when the TV is on but the screen is blank (as when my DVR or Xbox 360 are shut off).

Is this a sign that the screen is likely to go out in the near future? Is there anything that can be done to get rid of these bars or should I start shopping for a new model now?

Excellent blues bars in Philadelphia

schroedinger — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:17:34 -0800

I'm looking for an excellent jazz/blues/blues-rock bar in Philly. Grizzled old guys on their guitars, grizzled old patrons, bad lighting, laid-back bartenders and a relaxed atmosphere with a little bit of room to sway if you're feeling it. If you've ever been to the Cat's Eye Pub in Baltimore, something like that. All of my bar exposure so far has been in Old City (too swank), University City (too fratty), or Northern Liberties or South Street (too hipster). The few blues bars I've been to were upscale and I am cheap and don't like dressing up. Where do the old tattooed men and women go to do their soulful Led Zeppelin covers and play John Lee Hooker?

Hard to find?

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:26:33 -0800

I'd like to know where is the best place to pick up bi women (18-30) in New York City? I'd like to know where is the best place to pick up bi women (18-30) or curious one in New York City? I'm bi (female) and have a boyfriend and I'm really interested in bringing in a third for fun. I would like to make friends with a girl and eventually ask her to join us. I'm super cute, sexy and fit and so is my SO. I'm confident and ready to do this but I'm not sure where to start. Can anyone tell me about their experiences, pointers on picking up a cute girl at a bar or where in the city would be a good place to do this (any events, bars, lounges that has worked for you)? Throwaway email.. hurtheartskippedabeat@gmail.com

Where to celebrate 21 years in Chicago?

elisabethjw — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:04:21 -0800

I'm turning 21 next Tuesday. My friends want to take me to a bar. I want to avoid the mediocre college bars. Tell me where to go! We're doing the traditional 21st birthday (finally!) bar thing, except with a few self-imposed limitations because I hate huge crowds and noisy rooms. And dance clubs or anywhere where dancing is heavily prominent. I have only a few requirements:

Not so busy/loud I can't hear the conversation at my table (this is on a Tuesday night, granted, but it puts places like Hop Leaf out of the question). Definitely would be interested in piano bars, jazz lounges, etc. but not somewhere that has a specific showtime (so not a comedy club or something) because we are bad at showing up places in a timely manner.

Somewhere that would be fun. This is a really wobbly term but I generally mean more than your standard sit-down-and-drink bar. I really like the idea of The Map Room (and they're having International Night: Sweden on my birthday!) but it's just not feasible, transportation-wise.

Won't break my budget. I am in college and I am poor. It doesn't have to be dirt-cheap but at least modestly priced. If they have a great deal on Tuesdays/the 24th, even better.

Easily reached by Evanston. Ideally off the Red Line. I won't go further down than Belmont but bonus points if its further north. I love Edgewater and Andersonville.

Thanks!

Small Claims Court Question

scottbass — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:15:02 -0800

I'm trying to figure out which party to take to small claims court or if i should take both. The band i play in was hired to play at a bar by a promoter we have worked with before. At the end of the night there was no check and still is no check. We have sent a demand payment letter to both club owner and promoter and both claim they are not responsible for paying us. Do we sue both or just the club owner ?

Meet Iggy Pop and David Bowie (for beers)?

ClanvidHorse — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:13:27 -0800

Give me your recommendations for good bars in Berlin and Hamburg-with a few provisos! We are going to be in Berlin and Hamburg this week and we already have our sightseeing itineraries worked out. We would like to complement this by going to some great bars when we are there. Five people are going.

A few considerations that I hope you can take into account:

-ideally we would like to go to areas that have a concentration of bars/nightlife. A great bar in an isolated area may be great in it's own right, but being in a group, we would like to be in areas where we can bar-hop and move from one place to the next if the current one's not to our taste.

-we would like the bars to be quite lively.

-we like good dive bars, a little bit scuzzy is good.

-we would rather listen to rock music/electro than hard techno.

-we would like to drink nice beer.

-somewhere that sells great food is good.

-hipsterish is both good and bad. If you know a good hipster bar, please tell me, if you know one to avoid, please tell me.

-any other info such as subway stations, best times to visit an area, anything else that you can think of would be most appreciated.

I've been to Berlin before, read a few of the Berlin websites and previous threads but anything you have to add would be great.

Thanks

Lots of men would like to have fun in Paris

einekleine — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:21:57 -0800

Paris help: I am organising a weekend for a group of men in Paris in mid October. We're arriving Friday night, staying at a hostel on rue Mouffetard, doing some activities on the Saturday and heading home Sunday night. I need some advice on locations... and activities... and everything... This is long, because I'm worried, apologies. Any help is much appreciated, a few previous threads have come up with some great suggestions but none cover this. Chiefly because there's 17 men. I'm concerned about the amount of men. But they are all knowing, stylish and easy, aged 22 - 34, typically 30. Good men.

Primarily we want to keep costs down, especially the price of alcohol, which we will consume in the enthusiastic manner that a group of 17 men are inclined to on a weekend jaunt.

First of all, I hope I've got the hostel location right: rue Mouffetard in the Latin Quarter. If any people think this is an absolute disaster, do say, as it can be changed. The plan is to leave the hostel to sample the delights of the Parisian night at around 11pm on Friday night. We want a number of bars to go to first, then a nightclub, or even better, a lively rambunctious late license thrill parlour with plenty of life, character and women. Does such a group of places exist within sensible distance (preferably wandering distance) of the rue Mouffetard? Is there a noted (cheap) bar where the said group of men could 'settle in'? Would getting late night/early morning food on the Rue de la Huchette work?

Saturday we're doing stuff in the day (does anyone have any experience of the petanque courts in the Jardin du Luxembourg? Do you just turn up?). In the evening we're going to a burlesque at the Bobino in Montparnasse. That starts at 9.30, so we need somewhere to eat beforehand, somewhere that's nearby, fun and can accommodate 17 men (I realise I should have booked this already)! Then after that we'd like to go out again in Montparnasse, and would love some recommendations, or better yet, a street or route to visit. Again, we need to watch the price of beer and wine and would like to watch that price with pretty women (I know that's close to impossible).

Finally, with such a large group of men, any advice on getting in places? Does it make sense to contact bars in advance. I would love to have a cocktail in the Curio Parlour for example, but would we get in? Maybe before 9pm on the Saturday?

Sunday we were planning on grabbing some food and having a picnic in a park: any advice on which park?

Also any kind relaxing words of 'it will all go fine' gladly taken. I know it sounds like a terrible, hungry descent, but really we're all rather nice, promise. If I'm asking the impossible by being too specific, then please advise alternatives, thank you!

Is there a regulation in Montreal setting a mimimum distance between bars?

ManInSuit — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 08:17:08 -0800

Is there a regulation in Montreal setting a mimimum distance between bars or restaurants? I’m doing some research on how different cities regulate the density of bars in different areas. I’ve come across a couple of sources that seem to mention, in passing, that there are regulations in the city (maybe just specific areas, maybe city wide) that specify that bars must be at least 75 metres (or 100 metres, or 50 metres) apart from each other.

While the sources I came across were reasonably reliable (two articles from the Gazette, and one mention in a document on the City Hall site), they all provided very little information, just in passing, and were also around 10 years old.

I want to find out something more definitive and/or more recent and/or more informative.

Can anyone point me to information about this? I’m hoping for something like the text of a specific bylaw that states the regulation- that would be amazing. But less definitive stuff would be helpful too: a newspaper article that states plainly that such a regulation existss, or even a blog where someone gives some detail about it. I’ve put tons of time into trying to find something, but have been coming up blank.

Any help or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

(And – if anyone has information on similar regulations in Montreal – not specifically minimum-distance requirements, but general restrictions on where bars can be – that would be helpful, too… But the distance regulation is the main thing I’m trying to track down).

I'm trying to find out how the number and locations of bars and nightclubs are regulated in different places.

ManInSuit — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:54:03 -0800

I'm trying to find out how the number and locations of bars and nightclubs are regulated in different places. This may be a bit broad, but I’m hoping the green can point me in some useful directions.

I’m looking for information on how different places (especially in North America and Europe) regulate the location and number of bars, pubs, and nightclubs.

For example: Apparently in New York state, there is a law (the “Padavan Law”) that states that in order to have more than three bars within 500 feet of each other, there has to be a community hearing demonstrating that the new bar is in the public interest. And in New York city, I gather here are (are there still?) very strict regulations on the number and location of dance clubs (via cabararet laws). I’ve been able to find out a fair amount online about these New York regulations, the realities of how they are/aren’t enforced, etc.

According to on source I found, in Berlin “Before a bar can be opened the owner must prove that it will not cause a nuisance to neighbours” I’d like to know more about this, but haven’t been able to find much information anywhere.

I’m interested in finding out about similar regulations on other places. I’m especially interested in big cities and in places that have reasonably vibrant nightlife- I’m not so interested in how bars are regulated in quiet or small places.

If anyone has any information on individual cities, or suggestions on where I could find out more, that would be great.

(I ask because I’m involved, as a resident volunteer, in some municipal planning working groups in my own city. I’m interested in knowing what sorts of planning and zoning strategies other cities have taken to balance the desire for active nightlife against the downsides like noise and crime that bars can sometimes lead to… Both successful and unsuccessful measures are welcome…)

Any leads would be much appreciated!

Rock Band in NYC

shmegegge — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:29:02 -0800

What bars in the NYC area can I go to to play Rock Band? I heard that some bars in NYC host Rock Band nights. Does anyone know where I can go to find out about these?

and since I could just google the answer to this, the real reason I'm asking here is because I'd like anyone who has attended one of these to tell me what they thought of it.

so yes. rock band nights in NYC. where? how? good? bad?

Seeking Cambridge Big Screens to Watch Serena Et Al

foxy_hedgehog — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 07:19:36 -0800

Boston/Cambridge US Open Filter. Dear neighbors, I'm getting into watching the US Open and would love to watch the upcoming final matches on a big screen at a pleasant local saloon. Any suggestions for a bar that shows -- or is likely to show -- the matches? I'm in Inman, so prefer Cambridge, but am also feeling open-minded. If anyone wants to join me we can make it a pre-meetup mini-meetup. Thanks for any suggestions.

What Toronto bar would suit a book club meeting?

jmmpangaea — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:24:52 -0800

Torontofilter: Can anyone recommend a good pub/bar in Toronto (downtown) where a book club could meet to discuss our book of the month? We'd need seating for about 10-12 people and preferably not too noisy. To give you an example of a place we liked was Betty's. Low key and not overly pricey.

Tips for a train trip across the West.

the jam — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 21:00:53 -0800

In September, I've got 10 days to see everything I can see from Minneapolis to Portland, OR along the route of Amtrak's Empire Builder. Know anything about these places? I'm looking for some Metafilter reconnaissance about my route. My vague plans so far:

Camping at the Minnesota State Fair

Camping in Glacier National Park, being eaten by bears

Another yet-to-be-determined stopover in Idaho or Washington

Powell's Books, Stumptown Coffee in Portland

That's all I have so far. While I'm a fan of winging it, I'd still appreciate any suggestions of things to see, hikes to take, sites to camp, friendly coffee shops and bars in the cities, or anything you can throw at me, really -- this is my first time visiting this part of the country.

Le nom nom nom.

IWoudDie4U — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:02:09 -0800

Where can we make out with French boys, what foodie things can I not miss in Paris, and what is the Kampa Park of Brussels? In two weeks, I will be in Paris for the first time, with
my family. Then Bruges, Brussels and Amsterdam. I will be on vacation with my parents and my sister. We love seafood and wine and meat and salty snacks and cocktail hour. And cheese. I am obsessed with France/ French cuisine/Food and cooking in general. I spent all winter baking macarons in my tiny Chicago apartment. I have Pierre Herme and Laduree already mapped out for macaron gluttony, and Stohler's for éclairs. My parents are graciously picking up the tab, so being thrifty isn't necessary. We're not looking to have dinner at any Michelin star restaurants- but what foods/restaurants/bakeries/shops should we not miss?

We'll probably have a nightcap after dinner with my parents, but my sister and I would like to go out a few nights. We're both in our mid-20s, both single. She's more mainstream sports bar/ beer/ frat boys, and I'm more offbeat hipster bar/ gin martinis/ hipsters. We will both begrudgingly put up with the other's choice for at least a night. We're staying in the city centers at all locations, and are transit-savvy. Any suggestions?

When we were in Prague, my mother, sister and I had dinner at Kampa Park. We ate outside on the patio right on the river, overlooking the Charles bridge. The food was exquisite, we watched the sunset, and when it got a little chilly, the waiter draped us with
warm blankets. Blankets! It was perfect. It'll be just the ladies for two nights in Brussels, and we'd like to repeat the experience- breathtaking views, superb service, and delicious food. Where should we go?

What you call "free AMC access" was invented by guys like me to sell nylons.

zoomorphic — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:59:27 -0800

I am crazy-excited about Mad Men season 3 airing this week. Unfortunately, my friends and I are frugal New Yorkers who don't get extra channels like AMC. Are there any bars in NYC that play Mad Men where we could actually hear the show? Or are there places where we could rent a TV and a room without going broke? Last year I bought all the seasons on iTunes and watched (agape!) on my little laptop, but I'd love to see season 3 episodes a) the night they air, and b) on a larger teevee screen. This is mainly because I want to gather loads of friends together who are equally obsessed, and maybe have a dress-up theme party.

I know that Times Square is playing the first episode this Sunday, but that only takes care of the first episode. Bars often play certain shows if you request them, but the TVs are usually small and in loud areas.

This hope seems a little dim, but I thought I'd invoke the Hive before I resigned myself to my small, lonely laptop screen. If anyone figures out this conundrum, I will take your secret identity to the grave.

The City That Confuses The Hell Out Of Me

Juliet Banana — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:54:44 -0800

If you've ever lived in or visited Chicago and had a good time without getting hopelessly lost, you are cordially invited to post in this thread. Needed: an explanation of the grid system, tips and tricks on navigation, and recommendations for how to find the underground music scene, awesome beers, weird things to explore, and the best Chicago-focused blogs. THE GRID SYSTEM: Whenever someone explains this to me I hear "It starts at State and Madison and blah blah blah blah blah and then you'll know exactly where you are!" Pretend I am a five-year old who was dropped on my tender infant cranium.

HACKS: I bought the Moleskine city notebook which is really helpful because I can pour over maps on the El without looking like a total tourist. I'm also thinking of buying a small cheap compass because I have no sense of direction and I'm too shy to ask the classic question "Which way is the lake?" My boyfriend is getting handed a dollar so he can get one of the CTA Tracker apps for his iPhone. Any other recommendations?

BLOGS: A focus on music, especially local/weird/electronic, is nice, and so are blogs that categorize/tag posts by neighborhood. I'm currently reading Cream Team, Chicagoist, The Chicago Weekly (I really like the focus on non-mainstream arts&music, and neighborhood catagorization), and Gaper's Block. Is There a Cubs Game Today? is a single-serving site, not a blog, but invaluable for a Wrigleyville resident like myself.

PLACES TO CHECK OUT: Metafilter let me know that Hopleaf existed, so I'm sure there's lots of wisdom to be shared.

BACKROUND: I've spent time in Chicago but never lived here, I live spitting distance from Wrigley Field, I will likely work in The Loop, yes I will be at the meet-ups, I like booze and electronica and lowbrow art and limited-run/old/obscure movies, I really liked this previous question though I am 21+, I do not drive and hence will be reliant on the CTA, I am kind of nervous about not knowing anything about the local underground music scene and how to penetrate it.

Good, inexpensive cocktails in New York City.

ocherdraco — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 07:11:23 -0800

For my job (and for fun) I often need good places to go out for drinks after work here in New York. Please recommend bars between 14th Street and Midtown that have good, inexpensive (~$10 or below) cocktails and are good for conversations with small groups of people. I'm a particular fan of the sidecar and the whiskey old fashioned, so I'd particularly appreciate recommendations for bars that do those drinks (and drinks like them) well.

I am not looking for beer bars, and I am not looking for places as expensive as the Flatiron Lounge.

forget the flowers

fingers_of_fire — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:14:40 -0800

So I'm 6 hours into my 4 month stay in San Francisco and I need recommendations for places to while away the hours. I'm staying in Nob Hill. Can anyone recommend low-key (and inexpensive) pubs, restaurants, etc that are easily accessible from here? FWIW, I moved here from Carroll Gardens/Boerum Hill in Brooklyn - so that's the kind of environment I'm accustomed to. Many thanks!

I'd like to bury my nose with a beer

rhizome — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:21:04 -0800

What are the best bars in San Francisco for reading? Pretty simple. I have many favorite bars here in the city, but invariably they are either too dark, loud, or both for the times when I just want to sit and relax (or study) with a book and a drink. I'm not looking for a library, so I guess light is my first priority here. Jukeboxes and TVs for the most part are easily ignorable.

How do I work my way into a table full of girls at a bar?

cannotremember — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:44:03 -0800

You're a single male sitting at your local bar and a rather large group of girls walks in and takes over a nearby table. How do you proceed? Ladies, I know there's quite a few of you out there who have ideas on what you'd want a guy to do in this situation. Yes, I realize at least half those girls at that table prolly have boyfriends (a la ladies' night out) but does that really matter?

Gents, I know you've prolly been in this situation before. And some of you have probably succeeded to some extent. And though you may not be so generous with your killer suggestions, bear in mind that we're probably too far away for us to rub elbows over said group of ladies. So please, ego aside, help a brother out.

You may assume there's a guy or two among this crowd of ladies (at least 6) - if you'd like. I'm 99.9% sure that the dynamics change in this situation, especially if one or both of these guys are linked up with a couple of these girls. Plus, I don't have the luxury of my friends alongside me here... this is strictly a solo op.

Lastly, bear in mind that I'm not looking for a quick one-nighter or anything, neither - just something to get my feet in the pool and get some conversation going. I can take over from there if there's at least one chill gal!

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT!

bluloo — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:17:43 -0800

Where to go for a night out on the town next weekend in DC? So I will be turning 21 this coming week, and will be going to DC to celebrate with some friends on Saturday night. What bars/clubs/other forms of entertainment should we hit? Obviously, most of us would like to drink, but a few members of the party will be underage.

Help me pick some awesome Bachelor Party Bars/Lounges in New York City!

PetiePal — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:37:37 -0800

Bachelor Party Help! What are some ideal Bachelor Party outing bars/lounges in New York City? I'm the Best Man for my brother's wedding next month. I'm planning a Bachelor Party and I've never done this before. My brother is a little bit older, (he's 40), so it's not going to be that classic Tom Hanks affair at a strip club etc. The night will be comprised of 2 halves, an everybody dinner out Hoboken then a night out on the town. Right now I'm considering the first place to be the Brass Monkey (http://www.brassmonkeynyc.com/) but I really need at least 2-3 other bars in the City that would be great. Help!

I'm handsome, excellent flirt, and women willingly give me their numbers...Now what?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2009 11:29:28 -0800

I'm handsome, excellent flirt, and women willingly give me their numbers...Now what? I suck at picking up women...

I'm an excellent flirt, have enough courage (when I'm liquored up) to approach women, and they usually give me their numbers without asking.

The thing is at the end of the night I ALWAYS freeze in my tracks... I usually get a lot of cues that they are quite interested in me, but I really don't know what to do next...

I won't mind getting some, but I honestly don't know how to proceed from that point.

So few questions:

What to do with numbers: When to contact them and what to say?

Also I'm like a deer in the headlights, I can see that the women becomes more flirty, restless, and frustrated...I am not sure what to do at this point, should I just grab her and go home?

If so, how do I do this delicately, because I've had some women get pissed off at me when I just ask them in an upfront manner.

Also I'm not looking for a relationship, but won't mind some sex now and then.

I really don't understand this mating dance sometimes.

Help me DJ a bar in Toronto!

The Card Cheat — Tue, 19 May 2009 06:59:51 -0800

I'd like to pitch a DJ night for a bar/pub in Toronto wherein I'd play retro (i.e. '50s-'80s) Canadian music of the sort featured on my websites -- country, r&b, reggae, rock, jazz, pop, you name it...although I could tighten things up, genre-wise, depending on the bar's preferences if need be. Anyway, could anyone suggest any bars that might be suitable for this sort of thing on a weeknight? (note: I've already approached Sweaty Betty's and The Cock and Tail).

Trying to find the right bar for tomorrow

eightball — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:50:23 -0800

DC: Looking for a bar/restaurant near Chinatown/Gallery Place or Crystal City with outdoor seating that will have the hockey game on tomorrow. Here's the deal: We have to be in Crystal City for an event at 6. we'll be metroing in from Bethesda. We want to see the hockey game which starts at 3. Would like to stop off in Chinatown and watch the game somewhere. Since its going to be so nice out, I'm looking for the ideal place which will have some outdoor seating and will also have some TV's with sports available to watch.

Another plan (and maybe better) would be to go all the way to Crystal City at 3 and find a place there to watch, so if you know any places down there please let me know.

Recommendations?